Well, I failed my fitness test... but only barely... What do you think?

[Sullio]

I did very well on the written exam, and had my fitness test this past Saturday. For my city, the initial fitness test is as follows:

-Vertical jump of 13.5 inches or greater
-24 sit-ups or more in less than a minute
-300m run in 82 seconds or less
-21 push-ups, no time limit
-1.5 mile run in under 18:56

I did very well on all of it, except the sit-ups. Scored a 22 inch vertical jump, 300m run in about 49 seconds, did 48 push-ups, and ran the 1.5 mile run in 15:40. I only managed 23 sit-ups before my abs died, however.

So after all the tests, the proctor took those of us who failed one or more components into a separate room and told us that from here one of three things could happen, based on our overall scores as well as our written exam scores. Either A) we'd go ahead and get an oral interview, B) we'd get an opportunity to retest in a week or two, or C) we'd be told to reapply in two years.

I think I'll probably be fine to get a chance to re-test, if not just get an interview, considering I was only one sit-up short and did well on everything else. This is also only one of four fitness tests we have to take, including those at the beginning and end of the academy. So I'll have to take this test again in August no matter what.

What do you guys think?

[normal1]

Good god, who are you applying with that they make you do all that?

[Sullio]

Good god, who are you applying with that they make you do all that?

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Dept. I don't know how strict those requirements are, but most departments in Indiana have similar tests.

[normal1]

I live in Mass and I'm testing in California and neither state is that strict. Don't get me wrong, I think its a good thing, but I mean, you completed almost all of them you should at least get to interview and then re-test. Godspeed.

[Sullio]

I hope you're right.

[Switchback]

First of all, those standards look easy enough (sorry). Next, I have to say that very few things get me upset as someone failing the fit. It's the ONE THING that you have the most control over. You usually have prep time, as you did not wake up today and say, "Hmmmm... I think I will take a fit test for a PD job."

Oh... I forgot to mention that I am a fit coordinator for my agency, fit testing both applicants and current operational employees. I've had my time wasted too many time for people who knew they were in the hiring process and failed miserably.

...as for you, who knows, you may get a chance to retest. Good luck with that. If you do and you pass... you are not done. It's my experience that those who pass by the skin of their teeth for an application process only find the subsequent fit tests even more difficult. In the academy (at the beginning and the end), you will not have the liesure of that being your only event for the day, as you did for your application fit test.

Good luck.

[Cat_Doc]

Next, I have to say that very few things get me upset as someone failing the fit. It's the ONE THING that you have the most control over.

I worked my butt off running in the Arizona heat to stay in shape after leaving the Air Force because I knew I would be testing for a law enforcement career field.

I knew before I even went to the PT that I was going to pass with flying colors because I had already been training to standards well above minimum requirements. The run, wall climb, pull ups, sit ups and push ups came as a breeze, but only after sweat and pain in preparation.

Not only does the poster indicate a lack of preparation, there is questionable mental warrior attitude if the final sit up could not be completed on will power alone.

You can't give up on the last sit up and you can't give up on the streets when someone is trying to rip you a new one.

[GrayPatriot]

Thank you Swtichback...

What is wrong with some of you people trying to get into LE. I am sorry but I am in the mood for going off. A 15:40 1.5 mile is shockingly bad... That is a brisk walk pace for crying out loud...

What are you going to do when you are by yourself struggling with a strung out 20yr old who wants to pound your head in???

Switchback already mentioned that you are in control of your own fitness level and it should be your top priority

I run 20-30 miles a week and I can tell you I wouldn't be running close to that if I worked in an office and my biggest fear was a paper cut. I run that amount because I know there is a bad *** somewhere training in a MMA gym who one day will be rolling on the pavement with me trying to end my life or at the least rearrange my face...

You will do fine, but you need to not shot for minimum standards...

[Switchback]

Yeah... don't make me rattle off my CURRENT numbers... and I am 35 and been on the job for a long time. I do it now, not because I want to get a job, it's a matter of pride!

[DetSgt.]

Thank you Swtichback...

What is wrong with some of you people trying to get into LE. I am sorry but I am in the mood for going off. A 15:40 1.5 mile is shockingly bad... That is a brisk walk pace for crying out loud...

What are you going to do when you are by yourself struggling with a strung out 20yr old who wants to pound your head in???

Switchback already mentioned that you are in control of your own fitness level and it should be your top priority

I run 20-30 miles a week and I can tell you I wouldn't be running close to that if I worked in an office and my biggest fear was a paper cut. I run that amount because I know there is a bad *** somewhere training in a MMA gym who one day will be rolling on the pavement with me trying to end my life or at the least rearrange my face...

You will do fine, but you need to not shot for minimum standards...

I must agree with this about staying in shape and being prepared. At the age of 40 I had major surgery on my left knee (a triple muscle transplant) to make it more stable. 7 Mos. after surgery I ran a 7 min. mile for a yearly test for the SWAT team. It was not my best time ever but I still retained my position of the Sgt. in charge of the sniper unit.

[Mantisz]

Vertical jump of 13.5 inches or greater
-24 sit-ups or more in less than a minute
-300m run in 82 seconds or less
-21 push-ups, no time limit
-1.5 mile run in under 18:56

The initial test for entry into our academy was 300m run in 62 seconds, 93% body weight bench press, 35 situps in 60 seconds, and 1 1/2 mile run in 13:22. Those run times for that academy are the standards for 60 years old and above. I would train harder if I were you.

[hutchins]

Just try again. Looks simple to me. However I would make sure I could do ALL OF IT before trying it. Just keep at it. You can do it.

[Sierra]

Now you know what you need to concentrate on. You got lucky with the possibly allowed retest. All departments I have dealt with would have made you start the process over.

[Sullio]

Goodness, some harsh responses in here. I'm not going to sit here an make excuses. I just got out of college with a degree in psychology and sadly, I was not afforded the time to maintain the fitness level that I had in high school. As for preparation, they allowed us four weeks of time to train for the first fitness test. That is, they told us about the "surprise" initial fitness test a month ahead of time. I started training when I put in the preliminary application, so I've been doing so for about six weeks.

Furthermore, give me a little credit. Those numbers are pretty good for a non-athlete who is only six weeks into training for the first time in 6 years. Especially considering I'm a lifter, not a runner. A ten minute mile isn't that bad for a non-runner whose (once again) training for the first time in six years.

As for that last sit-up. Yeah, I've been mulling that one over or not. But the problem was not so much that I couldn't push that last one out, it was that time ran out while I was still trying.

So please, give me a little credit. We're not all athletes, especially right out of college. And do try to give me the benefit of the doubt that I'm doing my best to prepare for every facet of the hiring process, especially the fitness portion, since that's obviously not my strongest point.

[Sullio]

Oh, by the way, I spoke with the academy administrator about an hour ago. After a five minute conversation where I told him my fitness routine and goals, he agreed to let me pass on to the oral interview phase.

So now I have until mid-august for my next test, and I intend to do much better. Strength was never an issue, but I can shorten my 1.5mile down to 12 minutes, and I can definitely squeeze in quite a few more sit-ups.